‘Card game: How the citizens of Athens experience the city’s cultural heritage during the crisis’. Reflections on values-based management

The ‘Card game: How the citizens of
Athens experience the city’s cultural heritage during the crisis’ was held at
the Athens University Museum, Athens, Greece, on 10 January 2015, within the framework of ‘Archaeological Dialogues’
initiative.

Citizens of Athens of differing
backgrounds, both archaeological and non-archaeological ones, participated as
players in the game - specifically: archaeology, archaeology-museology,
pedagogics, law, and computer engineering. The players (as well as the
attendees) were selected through an open call-invitation via social media. The
game was moderated by Ioannis Poulios and Elena Papagiannopoulou.

Image: The Athens University Museum (photo by Elena Papagiannopoulou)

Aims,
and methodology

The aim of the game was threefold:

a) to study how the citizens of Athens (of
differing backgrounds, i.e. archaeological and non-archaeological) are
connected in their daily lives to the city’s cultural heritage during the
crisis;

b) to demonstrate similarities and
differences in their views on issues pertinent to the protection of cultural
heritage; and, finally,

c) to attempt to bring these differing opinions
together and, moving further, suggest ways through which citizens, as a unified
body, can become involved in the protection and management of this heritage.

The game formed a platform for dialogue
among citizens of differing backgrounds. The methodology applied was based on
the core principles and practices of values-based management:
stakeholder/interest groups, values, authenticity, and planning process
methodology.

Description-structure
of the game

Before the beginning of the game, all
participants (i.e. the players, the attendees, and the moderators) were given a
guided tour of the Athens University Museum (where the game was hosted).

At the first part of the game, the
players were addressed a series of questions (some of which were given to them
in advance to prepare, while others ad hoc) on how they – as citizens of Athens - experience the city’s cultural
heritage and how they can participate in its protection and management. This
first part ended with a ballot of all the participants to elect the ‘winner’ of
the game.

The second part of the
game consisted of an open discussion between the players and the attendees, who
managed to function as a unified body. The discussion focused on ways citizens
as well as start-ups and small and medium-sized enterprises can take action for
the protection and management of cultural heritage, and also on ways to develop
synergies among them.

The game concluded with a synopsis by
the moderators. The main points of the players’ answers and of the open
discussion (i.e. the first and the second part of the discussion) were pointed
out, and were linked to conservation theories and practices, especially within
the framework of values-based approach. Elements of a values-based approach that
function in a positive way were highlighted, as well as others that need more
attention.

The discussion went on after the end
of the game, on suggestions for the further development of the game and also on
potentials for professional collaboration among the participants.

Image: The 'players' with moderator Ioannis Poulios

(photo by Elena Papagiannopoulou)

Post-game
material / gift

The participants were sent, as a gift, a
book on an innovative approach to conservation that moves beyond a values-based
approach: a living heritage approach.

We would like to thank all players
and attendees for their participation.

Thanks are also owed to the
architectural office doxiadis+, and especially Thomas Doxiadis and Angeliki
Mathioudaki, for their contribution to the preparation of one of the questions
addressed to the players; and to Fay Tsitou, member of the scientific staff of
the Athens University Museum, for the guided tour.

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